High-speed-wiring-system architecture

ABSTRACT

A wiring system for an automobile connecting a processor and a plurality of devices, using one or more backbone sections. The processor and devices are connected to one another to form a first loop and a second loop, such that data may be transmitted along the first loop and data may be transmitted along the second loop.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/629,560,entitled “HIGH-SPEED-WIRING-SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE”, filed Feb. 12, 2018,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety andmade part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for allpurposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a wiring-system architecture. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a wiring-systemarchitecture for transmitting data at a high rate and with redundancies.

Description of Related Art

Traditional wiring systems typically connect devices to a central point,such as a processor, using a cable to connect each device to theprocessor. The processor communicates with each device individually.Typically, the cables transmit data from a device to the processor orfrom the processor to the device. That is, each cable can only transmitdata in a single direction during operation. If one of the cables fails,then the communication to and from the device fails. That is, there isno redundancy. Such loss of communication negatively impacts the overallfunctioning of the system. When the data transmitted relates todriver-assist and autonomous-driving functionality, such decrease ofsystem functionality may result in complete system failure and acompromised situation.

To prevent loss of communication from a single cable failure, cables maybe paired to create redundancy. Such repeating may be tedious and alsorequire two attachment points, which requires a larger physical space atthe attachment point. When a processor is connected to multiple devices,the processor (or printed circuit board holding the processor) must haveenough connection points, which may require a large physical space, andan increased cost to manufacture such a large board. Hence, there is aneed for a wiring system that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wiring system for an automobileshowing a plurality of devices connected in a star configuration,according to a known wiring system.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a wiring-system architecture foran automobile showing a plurality of devices connected in a loop by abackbone according to certain embodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of a wiring-system architecture foran automobile showing a plurality of devices connected in a loop by abackbone according to certain embodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of a wiring-system architecture foran automobile showing a plurality of devices connected in a loop by abackbone according to certain embodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the backbone according tocertain embodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates how wiring-system architecture that can be used toconnect devices in a “parallel” configuration according to certainembodiments of the current disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are bestunderstood by referring to the detailed description that follows. Itshould be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identifylike elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, whereinshowings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of thepresent disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a wiring-system architecture. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a wiring systemarchitecture for transmitting data at a high rate and with redundancies.The backbone has two or more communication pathways. Further, thecommunication pathways may form loops (i.e., starting and ending at thesame device or location, such as a processor) to create redundantcommunication pathways. That is, if one communication pathway fails,data may be transmitted via the other pathway. The loss of onecommunication pathway will not result in communication loss. Rather,data may still transmit along the other communication pathway. Inembodiments, the pathways transmit data in opposite directions.

Reference will now be made in detail to specific aspects or features,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wiring system 100 for anautomobile showing a plurality of devices 102 connected to a processor104 in a star configuration, according to a known wiring-systemconfiguration. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the devices 102 communicateswith the processor 104 along a dedicated cable. However, failure of aconnection between any of the devices 102 with the central processor 104can lead to a loss in the overall performance of the system 100.

FIGS. 2A-2C are exemplary schematic illustrations of a wiring-systemarchitecture 200 according to a certain embodiment of the presentinvention. In embodiments herein, the wiring-system architecture is foran automobile. The automobile may be any vehicle, for example, apassenger car, a semi truck, a sport utility vehicle, can, passengertrucks, or other vehicle. Although the wiring-system architecture 200will be explained in reference to connecting devices that may be presentin an automobile, use in an automobile is merely one of the manypossible areas for the wiring-system architecture 200 of the presentdisclosure. The use of the wiring-system architecture 200 may extend toconnecting other types of electrically-powered devices that form partsof larger systems including, but not limited to, connecting deviceswithin nautical applications, connecting devices within farm equipment,and other industrial and consumer-product applications.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the wiring-system architecture 200 of theautomobile includes multiple devices 202. and a processor 204. Eachdevice has a hub (206-230). Backbone 264 connects devices 202 and allowsfor bi-directional communication in either direction (clockwise orcounterclockwise) around the loop. In embodiments, one or more of thehubs, for example, hubs 208-214, 220, and 224 are associated with radars232-242, 244, and 246 respectively. In embodiments, one or more of thehubs, for example, hubs 206, 216, 218, 222, 226 and 228-230 areassociated with cameras 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, and 258-260respectively. Moreover, each of the hubs 206-230 includes a controllertherein for controlling corresponding ones of the connected devices 202,for example, cameras 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, and 258-260 or radars232-242, 244, and 246 respectively.

The cameras 248-260 and radars 232-246 may be located at differentpositions within the automobile and intended to provide data accordingto different orientations. In embodiments, the cameras 248-260 andradars 232-246 provide redundant data. The cameras 248-260 and radars232-246 may generate visual data, sonic data, thermal data, or otherdata, and then transmit the data to the processor 204 via the device'scorresponding hub. A hub may be associated with any number of cameras orradars. For example, a single hub 206 may control a single camera 248.or a single hub 208 may control a single radar 232. In anotherembodiment, a single hub 210 may control a pair of radars 234 and 236,or a pair of cameras 260 and 262.

The backbone 264 connects the devices 202. In embodiments, a hub fromeach device 202 is serially connected to a hub from an adjacent device202 using the backbone 264. In other embodiments, each hub is connectedto backbone 264 in a “parallel” configuration such that if any hubfails, data may still be communicated through the backbone 264. In theserial embodiment, multiple hubs within each device 202, for example,hubs 210 and 212 are serially connected to each other using the backbone264. In the parallel embodiment, multiple hubs within each device 202,for example, hubs are each connected to the backbone 264 such that ifone or more of the hubs fail, data from the other hubs and devices maystill transmit data around backbone 264 in both directions.

In embodiments, when backbone is formed using a bi-directional cable,such as the one disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No.62/614,110, then the wiring-system architecture can tolerate one faultin the backbone while still maintaining communication pathways for allhubs and devices. The entire disclosure of U.S. Prov. Pat. Appl. No.62/614,110 is incorporated herein by reference. For example, if a faultoccurs (such as backbone severing between hub 214 and hub 212, then hubs216 and 214 may still receive information from processor 204 though theportions of backbone 264 that are not have not experienced the fault,specifically backbone sections 264 that connect processor 204 to hub 216and then hub 216 to hub 214 (that is the backbone portions clockwisefrom processor 204). Data may be sent from the corresponding hubs anddevices in the opposite direction. Similarly, if a fault occurs (such asbackbone severing between hub 214 and hub 212, then hubs 212, 210, 208,and 206 may still receive information from processor 204 though theportions of backbone 264 that are not have not experienced the fault,specifically backbone sections 264 that connect processor 204 to hub206, hub 206 to hub 208, hub 208 to hub 210, and hub 210 to hub 212(that is the backbone portions counterclockwise from processor 204).Data may be sent from the corresponding hubs and devices in the oppositedirection.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the backbone 264. As shown, the backbone264 includes at least a pair of elongated conductors 302, 304 that arelocated alongside one and spaced apart and insulated from one another.As shown in FIG. 3, the backbone 264 includes two pairs of elongatedconductors that are denoted by corresponding ones of numerals 308, 310respectively. Although two pairs 308, 310 are shown, the backbone 264may include more than two pairs to create redundancy in thecommunication pathways for power and data depending on specificrequirements of an application.

As shown, the backbone 264 also includes an inner insulating matrix 312that is between and around the pair of elongated conductors 302, 304.The backbone 264 further includes a conductive shield member 314 aroundthe inner insulating matrix 312, and an outer insulating matrix 316 thatis disposed around the conductive shield member 314. The inner and outerinsulating matrices 312, 316 may be made from similar or dissimilarmaterials including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), but is not limited thereto. Various other suitablethermoplastic polymers commonly known to persons skilled in the art maybe used, in lieu of the materials exemplarily disclosed herein, to formthe outer and inner insulating matrices 312, 316.

When multiple pathways exist, backbone 264 may allow for thetransmission of data and power in opposite directions. When backbone 264is connected in a loop, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, or 2C, a first loopand a second loop are formed by the first pair of elongated conductors308 and the second pair of elongated conductors 310 respectively. Thefirst loop may be configured to transmit power and/or data to devices202 in a first direction, and the second loop may be configured totransmit power and/or data between to devices 202 in a second direction.The first and second directions may be the same direction or they may beopposite directions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary “parallel” configuration of thewiring-system architecture 200 used to connect multiple devices 202. Asshown, the wiring-system architecture 200 includes multiple branches402. Each branch 402 connects with the backbone 264 and a correspondingdevice 202 from the multiple devices 202. In other embodiments, thedevices 202 may contain a hub, with the hub connected to one or moresensors, more similar to the “serial” configuration.

Further, in an embodiment, an amount of impedance Z_(b) associated withthe branch 402 is greater than or equal to an impedance Z_(b.b)associated with the backbone 264 i.e., Z_(b)≥Z_(b.b). For instance, theamount of impedance Z_(b) associated with the branch 402 may be twicethat of the backbone 264 i.e., Z_(b)=2*Z_(b.b). In an embodiment, theamount of impedance Z_(b) associated with the branch 402 is in the rangeof 75-125 Ohms. Further, in this embodiment, a length of the backbone264 may be selected such that the impedance Z_(b.b) of the backbone 264is in the range of 40-60 Ohms.

The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosureto the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, itis contemplated that various alternative embodiments and/ormodifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described orimplied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thusdescribed embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form anddetail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, reference is made to “conductor” or “conductors,” but a personof ordinary skill in the art will understand that in certainembodiments, one or more wires (for example, metal having an insulation,an outer sheathing, and a conductive shield interspersed between theinsulation and the outer sheathing) may be substituted. Thus, thepresent disclosure is limited only by the claims.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described withreference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the artwill appreciate, various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified orotherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from thespirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is tobe considered as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching thoseskilled in the art the manner of making and using various embodiments ofthe disclosed wiring system. It is to be understood that the forms ofdisclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representativeembodiments. Equivalent elements, or materials may be substituted forthose representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover,certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of theuse of other features, all of which would be apparent to one skilled inthe art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure.Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”,“consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the presentdisclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner,namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitlydescribed also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to beconstrued to relate to the plural.

Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in theillustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed aslimiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g.,coupled, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader'sunderstanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations,particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the elementsdisclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to beconstrued broadly. Moreover, such joinder references may not necessarilyinfer that two elements are directly connected to each other.

Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”,“second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, or any other ordinary and/ornumerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist thereader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variationsand/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create anylimitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of anyelement, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over,another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated orintegrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certaincases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wiring system for an automobile comprising: aprocessor; a plurality of devices; one or more backbone sections;wherein the processor and the plurality of devices are connected to oneanother to form a first loop and a second loop, such that data may betransmitted along the first loop and data may be transmitted along thesecond loop.
 2. The wiring system of claim 1, wherein the first looptransmits data in a first direction, and the second loop transmits databetween in a second direction, wherein the second direction is oppositeto the first direction.
 3. The wiring system of claim 2, wherein one ofthe devices comprises a hub that is connected to a radar sensor.
 4. Thewiring system of claim 3, wherein the hub includes a controller forcontrolling the connected sensor.
 5. The wiring system of claim 2,wherein one of the devices comprises a hub that is connected to a camerasensor.
 6. The wiring system of claim 4, wherein the hub includes acontroller for controlling the connected sensor.
 7. The wiring system ofclaim 2 further comprising: a plurality of branches, wherein each branchfrom the plurality of branches connects with the backbone and one of thedevices.
 8. The wiring system of claim 6, wherein the impedance of thebranch is greater than or equal to an impedance of the backbone.
 9. Thewiring system of claim 6, wherein the impedance of the branch is atleast twice the impedance of the backbone.
 10. The wiring system ofclaim 8, wherein the of impedance of the branch is between 75-125 Ohms.